Jannik Sinner is no stranger to creating history.
In fact, in his short time on the ATP Tour, he has already broken enough records to last an entire career, and yet he is really only getting started.
Just 24 years old and already a four-time Grand Slam champion, his success extends far beyond just the majors.
After all, what he is currently achieving at the Masters 1000 events is astounding, and can only be compared to the Big Three who came before him.
Ironically enough, his latest win at the Madrid Open has seen Jannik Sinner actually match a record that had only ever been achieved by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Jannik Sinner creates more history with latest Madrid Open win
In a statistic released by OptaAce just after Sinner had beaten Rafael Jodar yesterday, they explain how his stellar start to the 2026 season is comparable to those enjoyed by two of the sport’s greatest-ever players.
After all, before yesterday, they were the only ones in history to have reached the semi-finals of the first four Masters 1000 events of a year, with Federer managing it in 2006, and Nadal doing it twice in 2010 and 2011.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Now, Sinner can count himself as part of this legendary list.
It’s a testament to his unparalleled domination that he continues to win at such a rate, and given the competition left in Madrid, it’s hard to look past him claiming another title as well.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz send messages to Rafael Jodar on social media
Whilst Sinner rated Jodar’s level immediately after their match, he has since taken to Instagram to offer a more measured view in the hours that followed.
He lauded the 19-year-old for pushing him ‘to the limit’, and wished him luck for the rest of the campaign.
Sinner wrote: “Really happy to be in the semis @rafa.jodarr you pushed me to the limit. Thanks for the high-quality match, all the best for the rest of the season.”
Can Rafael Jodar fill the void left by Carlos Alcaraz?
He's certainly stepped up in his absence so far…
Jodar also earned further praise from Alcaraz, who commented on his Instagram post congratulating him on a ‘spectacular tournament’.
Although the world’s top two-ranked players will be expecting this Spanish youngster to one day challenge them for elite titles, for now, they seem very much impressed with his development thus far.
